I'm trying to get back into PC gaming and want to put together a system that can handle modern high-fidelity games, including the eventual PC release of GTA 6. My budget is around $1,000, though I could stretch it somewhat if necessary.
My current system has an LGA 1151 motherboard, an Intel Core i5-6600K, a Radeon RX 480, 16GB of G.SKILL Ripjaws V memory, and a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO cooler. I'm not sure which parts are still worth reusing or whether the whole platform is too outdated.
Would it make sense to upgrade this machine over time, or should I sell it and start with a new build or prebuilt? I'm especially interested in getting the best performance and longevity for my budget without making a terrible purchasing decision.
3 Answers
The motherboard, processor, and RX 480 are all pretty old, so I wouldn’t spend money trying to upgrade around them. Your 16GB of DDR4 memory may still be reusable, assuming it’s compatible with the new platform, and the case might be worth keeping if airflow and sizing are adequate.
For a roughly $1,000 build, put most of the budget toward the graphics card. A current midrange card with 16GB of VRAM would give you much more useful gaming performance and leave room for future upgrades. An older AM4 setup with a Ryzen 5 5600X and 32GB of DDR4 could reduce costs, though a newer platform would offer better long-term support. You’ll also need a reliable 650W-class power supply and a 1TB NVMe SSD.
I’d sell the old system as a complete working PC rather than trying to upgrade it piece by piece. The proceeds can go toward a new build, and you’ll avoid spending money on a platform that has very little upgrade path left. A prebuilt can also work, but check the exact power supply, motherboard, cooling, and graphics card instead of buying based only on the headline CPU or GPU.
The RAM is probably DDR4 and could potentially be reused, but verify its speed, capacity, and condition first. Everything else is showing its age, especially the processor and graphics card. If you can wait and save a little more, that may be better than forcing a weak new build right now. Also remember that a major new game may arrive on PC later than consoles, giving you extra time to build a better system.
Those component prices are based on used-market deals, so make sure to compare several sellers. Memory and storage prices can vary a lot, and it may be worth waiting if the budget is tight.